4  'I'  7  ■ *> 


OK 


IssuedJune  ! 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUEl   M    OF   PLANT  INDUSTRY— Circular  No.  6. 
is.  T.  GALLOWAY    Chief  of  Bureau. 


THE  CULTIVATION  A\l>  HANDLING  OF 
GOLDENSEAL. 


ALICE  HENKEL,  Assisi  \m. 

AM> 

(i.  FRED  KXiUGH,  Scientifn    Assistant, 
I  >i:i  G-Pl  \vr    [nveS'J  [GATK  ins. 


WASHINGTON  :  GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFF1CI 


TORY 


BUREU    OF  PLANT   INDUSTRY. 

Physiologist  and  Pathologist,  and  Chief  of  Bureau,  Beverly  T.  Gallowaj 

Physiologist  and  Pathologist,  and    Assistant  chief  of  Bureau,  Albert    I'.   W Is 

Laboratory  of   Plant   Pathology,  Erwln   F.   Smith.   Pathologist  in   Charge. 
Investigations  of  Diseases  of  Fruits,  Merton  B.  Waite.  Pathologist  in  Charge 
Laboratory  0/  Forest  Pathology,  Haven  Metealf,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 
Cotton   and  Truck  Diseases  and  Plant  Disease  Survey,  William  A.  Orton,   Pathologist    in 

Charge. 
Plant  Life  History  Investigations,  Walter  T.   Swingle,   Physiologist   in  Charge. 
Cotton   Breeding   Investigations,  Archibald   D.   Shamel  and   Daniel   X.   Shoemaker,    Physi- 
ologists in  Charge. 
Tobacco    Investigations,    Archibald    D.    Shamel.    Wightman    W.    Garner,    and    Ernest    II. 

Mathewson,  in  Charge. 
Corn  Investigations,  Charles  P.  Hartley.  Physiologist  in  Charge. 
Alkali  and  Drought  Resistant  Plant  Breeding  Investigations,  Thomas  II.  Kearney,   Physi 

ologist    in   Charge. 
Soil   Bacteriology   and    Water   Purification    Investigations,    Karl    F.    Kellerman,    Physiolo 

gist  in  Charge. 
Bionomic  Investigations  of  Tropical  and  Subtropical   Plants,  Orator  F.  Cook,  Bionomist 

in   Charge. 
Drug   an<i    Poisonous   Plant    Investigations   and    Tea    Cultun    Investigations,    Rodnej    II. 

True,    Physiologist    in  Charge 
Physical  Laboratory,  Lyman  .1.  Briggs,  Physicist  in  Charge. 
Crop  Technology  and   Fibei    Plant   Investigations,   Nathan  A.  Cobb,  Crop  Technologist    In 

Charge. 
Taxonomic  ami  Range  Investigations,  Frederick  V.  Coville,  Botanist  in  I  ha 
Farm   Management   Investigations,  William  J.   Spillman,   Agriculturist   in  Charge. 
drain   Investigations,  Mark  Alfred  Carleton,  Cerealist  in  Charge. 
i,,/  igton   1     perimental   Farm,  Lee  C.  Corhett.  Horticulturist  in  Charge. 
Vegetable  Testing  Gardens,  William  W.  Tracy,  sr.,  Superintendent. 
Sugar-Beet    Investigations,  Charles  0.   Townsend,    Pathologist    in   Charge. 
Western    Ygricultural  Extension   Investigations,  Carl  S.  Scofield,  Agriculturist   in  Charge 
Dry-Land    Vgricultun    Investigations,  E.  Channing  Chilcott,  Agriculturist   in  Charge. 
Pomological  Collections,  Gustavus  B.  Bracken.  Pomologist  in  Charge. 
Field  Investigations  in   Pomology,  William  A.   Taylor  and  G.   Harold   Powell,   Pomologists 

in  Charge. 
Experimental  Harden*  and  Grounds,  Edward  M.   Byrnes,  Superintendent. 
Foreign   Seed  and  riant  Introduction,  David  Fairchild,  Agricultural   Explorer  in  Charge. 
Foragi    Crop   Investigations,  Charles  V.   Piper.   Agrostologist    in  Charge 
Seed   Laboratory,   Edgar   Brown,   Botanist   in   Charge. 
Grain  Standardization,  John  I  >.  Shanahan,  Crop  Technologist  in  Charge 
Subtropical  Laboratory  and  Garden,    Miami.  Fla.,  Ernst   A.  Bessey,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 
Plant  Introduction  Garden,  Chico,  far.  August    Mayer.  Expert  in  Charge. 
South   Texas  Garden,  Brownsville,  Tex.,  Edward  C.  Green,  Pomologist    in  Charge. 
Farmers'  Cooperative  Demonstration   Work,  Seaman  A.  Knapp,  Special  Agent   in  Charge. 
Seed    Distribution    (Directed    by    Chief  of  Bureau).    Lisle    Morrison.    Assistant    in    General 

Charge. 

/  ditor,  .1.   E.   Rockwell. 
Chief   Clerk,   James    E.   Jones. 
[Circ.  6] 

2 


-  ONTENTS. 


[ntroduction ' 

Habital  and  range  of  goldenseal 6 

ription  of  the  planl 6 

Description  of  the  rhizome,  or  rootstock 

Collection  and  preparation  of  the  root ' 10 

Brief  medical  history 10 

( lultivation 11 

Necessary  soil  conditions 11 

ISJfiaif ized; by  the  I nternet  Areh i ve 

I  se  of  trees  as  shade j..—  .  Q-A4Q '■' 

Attention  required U.I.^.V  J.P L3 

Methods  of  propagation 13 

Experiments  with  seeds 13 

Experiments  with  divided  rhizomes 15 

Experiments  w ith  plants  from  librous  toots 16 

Yield  of  roots 16 

Time  necessary  to  mature  the  crop 17 

Hydrastin  content  of  cultivated  roots 17 

Market  conditions 18 

Highest  and  lowest  prices 18 

[Cil 

3 


http://archive.org/details/handlOOunit 


USTRATIONS 


I'age. 

Fig.  1.   A  flowering  plant  of  goldenseal 7 

2.  A  fruiting  plant  and  a  fruiting  branch  of  goldenseal 8 

3.  Rhizome,  or  rootstock,  of  goldenseal 9 

4.  Rhizome,  after  division 14 

5.  Plant  formed  from  bud  on  fibrous  root  of  goldenseal 1  •"> 

6.  Seedlings  of  goldenseal Hi 

7.  Goldenseal,  showing  bud  on  fibrous  root 17 

[Circ.  6] 
4 


B   p   i—  r?; 


THE  CULTIVATION  AND  HANDLING  OF 
GOLDENSEAL" 


INTRODUCTION. 

Few  drugs  <>n  the  American  market  have  been  subject  to  such  wide 
fluctuations  in  price  as  goldenseal,  the  dried  root  of  which  forms  one 
of  the  most  important  articles  in  the  crude-drug  trade  of  this  country. 
While  for  many  years  high  and  low  prices  depended  mostly  upon 
the  alternate  scanty  or  oversupplied  market,  and  while  this,  of  course, 
still  holds  true  to  a  certain  extent  with  goldenseal  as  well  as  with  other 
commodities,  there  seems  little  doubt  now  that  the  increased  values  of 
the  past  lew  year-  and  the  present  unprecedented  high  prices  may  he 
attributed  to  the  tact  that  the  plant  is  fast  becoming  exterminated 
from  American   forests. 

Although  in  Mime  secluded  localities  goldenseal  may  still  he  found 
rather  abundantly,  the  supply  i-  rapidly  diminishing,  and  there  i-  a 
growing  scarcity  of  i  lie  plain  throughout  its  range.  With  the  advance 
of  civilization  and  the  increase  in  population  came  a  growing  demand 
for  many  of  our  native  medicinal  plant-  and  a  corresponding  decrease 
in  the  sources  of  supply.  A-  the  rich  forest  land-  of  the  Ohio  Valley 
and  elsewhere  were  required  for  the  need-  of  the  early  settlers  they 
were  cleared  of  timber  and  cultivated,  and  the  goldenseal,  deprived 
of  the  -hehcr  and  protection  necessary  to  it-  existence,  gradually  dis- 
appeared, a-  it  will  not  thrive  on  land  that  i-  cultivated.     Where  it 

The  Increasing  use  of  goldenseal  in  medicine  lias  resulted  in  a  wide  demand 
for  information  about  the  plain,  its  Identification,  geographical  distribution,  the 
conditions  under  which  it  grows,  the  methods  of  collecting  ami  preparing  the 
rhizome,  the  relations  ol  3upply  and  demand,  and  the  possibilities  of  cultivation. 
This  paper,  entitled  "The  Cultivation  and  Handling  of  Goldenseal,"  was  pre- 
pared by  Miss  Alice  Ilenkel.  Assistant  in  Drug-Planl  investigations,  and  Mr.  <;. 
Fred  Klugh,  Scientific  Assistant  in  the  same  office,  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
Rodney  II.  Tine.  Physiologist  in  Charge,  and  is  a  revision  of  Bulletin  No.  51, 
Pari  VI,  id'  'he  Bureau  of  Planl  Industry,  entitled  "G  ildenseal."  in  the  prep- 
aration of  this  paper,  which  was  undertaken  to  meet  the  demand  for  informa- 
tion relative  to  goldenseal,  now  fasl  disappearing  from  our  forests,  many  farts 
have  been  obtained  from  Lloyd's  Drugs  and  Medicines  of  North  America.—  P..  1. 
Galloway,  Ch 
1 1  -i      6 

5 


6  THE    CULTIVATION    AND    HANDLING    OF    GOLDENSEAL. 

w;r-  not  destroyed  in  this  manner  the  root  diggers,  diligently  plying 
their  vocation,  did  their  share  toward  exterminating  this  useful  little 
plant,  which  they  collected  regardless  of  the  season,  either  before  the 
plants  had  made  much  growth  in  spring  or  before  the  seeds  had 
matured  and  been  disseminated,  thus  destroying  all  means  of  propa- 
gation. The  demand  for  the  root  appears  to  be  increasing,  not  only 
in  this  country  but  also  abroad,  and  the  cultivation  of  goldenseal 
seems  now  to  have  become  a  necessity  in  order  to  meet  the  demand  and 
save  the  plant  from  extinction. 

Prior  to  1900  there  seemed  to  be  no  one,  so  far  as  the  Department 
of  Agriculture  could  ascertain,  who  had  ever  attempted  the  culti- 
vation of  goldenseal  for  the  market.  From  that  time  on  many 
inquiries  were  directed  to  the  Department  by  persons  Avho  were  quick 
to  note  the  upward  tendency  of  prices  for  goldenseal,  and  there  are 
now  several  growers  in  different  parts  of  the  country  who  have  under- 
taken the  cultivation  of  goldenseal  on  a  commercial  scale. 

It  is  necessary,  however,  to  remind  prospective  growers  to  proceed 
with  caution,  for  if  goldenseal  is  universally  cultivated  it  will,  of 
course,  eventually  result  in  overstocking  the  market  and  bringing 
about  such  a  depression  in  price  as  to  make  goldenseal  cultivation  a 
profitless  venture. 

HABITAT   AND   RANGE    OF    GOLDENSEAL. 

Goldenseal  occurs  in  patches  in  high  open  woods  where  there  is 
plenty  of  leaf  mold  and  usually  on  hillsides  or  bluffs  affording 
natural  drainage,  but  it  is  not  found  in  very  moist  or  swampy  sit- 
uations, on  prairie  land,  or  in  sterile  soil.  It  is  native  from  southern 
New  York  to  Minnesota  and  western  Ontario,  south  to  Georgia  and 
Missouri,  ascending  to  an  altitude  of  2,500  feet  in  Virginia.  Tt  is 
now  becoming  scarce  throughout  its  range.  Not  all  of  this  region. 
however,  produces  goldenseal  in  abundance.  Ohio.  Indiana.  Ken- 
tucky, and  West  Virginia  have  been  the  greatest  goldenseal-producing 
Slates,  while  in  some  local  it  ies  in  southern  Illinois,  southern  Missouri, 
noil  hern  Arkansas,  and  central  and  western  Tennessee  the  plant, 
though  common,  can  not  be  said  to  be  sufficiently  plentiful  to  furnish 
any  large  quantity  of  the  root.  In  other  portions  of  its  range  it  is 
sparingly  dist  ributed. 

DESCRIPTION    OF    THE   PLANT. 

In  addition  in  "goldenseal,"  many  other  common  name-  have  been 
applied  to  this  plant  in  different  localities,  most  of  them  bearing 
some  reference  to  the  characteristic  yellow  color  of  the  root,  such  as 
yellow  root,  yellow  puccoon.  orange-root,  yellow-paint,  yellow  Indian- 
paint,  Indian-paint,  goldenroot,  Indian-dye,  curcuma,  wild  curcuma, 
[Circ.  til 


THE    CULTIVATION    AND    HANDL1     i  GOLDENS] 


Ohio  curcuma,  wild  turmeric,  Indian  turmeric,  jaundice- root,  and 
yellow  eye;  other  names  are  eye-balm,  eyeroot,  and  ground-rasp- 
berry. Ifellowroot,  a  popular  name  for  it,  is  misleading,  :b  ii  has 
been  applied  to  oilier  plants  also,  namely,  to  goldthread,  false  bitter- 
sweet, twinleaf,  and  the  yellowwood.  The  name  goldenseal,  how- 
ever, derived  from  it-  yellow  color  and  the  seal-like  sear-  on  the 
root,  has  been  generally  adopted. 

Goldenseal  I  Hydrastis  t  anadt  nsis  L.)  belongs  to  the  same  family  as 
the  buttercup,  namely,  the  crowfoot  family  (Ranunculacea?).  It  is  a 
perennial  plant,  and  the  thick  yellow 
rootstock  sends  up  an  erect,  hairy 
stem  about  a  foot  in  height,  around 
the  base  of  which  are  two  or  three 
yellowish  scales.  The  -terns  as  they 
emerge  from  the  ground  are 
over,  the  tops  still  remaining  under 
"round,  and  sometimes  the  stems 
-how  some  distance  above  the  sur- 
before  the  tops  are  brought  out 
from  the  soil.  The  yellow  color  of 
the  roots  and  scales  extends  partly 
up  the  stem  so  far  as  it  is  covered 
1>\  soil,  \\  hile  the  portion  of  the  stem 
above  ground  has  a  purplish  color. 
I  roll  [enseal  has  only  two  leaves 
(  rarely  three  ).  the  -tern  bearing  these 
seeming  to  fork  at  the  top,  om 
branch  supporting  a  large  leaf 
the  other  a  -mailer  one  and  a  fio1 
( >ccasionally  there  i-  a  third  leaf, 
much  -mailer  than  the  other  two  and 
stemless.  The  leaves  are  prominently 
veined  on  the  lower  surface,  and  are 
palmately  5  to  9  lobed,  the  lobes 
broad,  acute,  sharply  and  unequally 
died.  The  leave-  are  only  par- 
tially developed  at  flowering  time  and  are  very  much  wrinkled, 
bul  tiny  continue  to  expand  until  they  are  from  C  to  S  inches  in 
diameter,  becoming  thinner  in  texture  and  smoother.  The  upper  leaf 
subtends  or  incloses  the  flower  \n\t\.     (Fig.  I.) 

Early  in  spring,  aboul  April  or  May.  the  flower  appear-,  but  few 
ever  see  it.  a-  it  lasts  only  five  or  six  day-.  It  is  greenish  white,  less 
than  half  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  has  no  petals,  but  instead  three 
small,  petal-like  sepals,  which  fall  away  a-  soon  a-  the  flower  expand-. 

[Cln 


s 


THE    CULTIVATION    AND    HANDLING    OF    GOLDENSEAL. 


leaving  only  the  stamens — as  many  as  40  or  50 — in  the  center  of  which 
are  about  a  dozen  pistils,  which  finally  develop  into  a  round,  fleshy, 
berry-like  head.  The  fruit  ripens  in  July  or  August,  turning  a  bright 
red  and  resembling  a  large  raspberry,  whence  the  common  name 
"  ground-raspberry  "  is  derived.     Each  fruit  contains  from  10  to  20 

small,  black,  shin- 
ing, hard  seeds. 
(Fig.  2.) 

If  the  season 
has  been  moist, 
the  plant  some- 
times persists  to 
the  beginning  of 
winter,  but  if  it 
has  been  a  dry  sea- 
son it  dies  down 
soon  after  the 
fruit  is  ripe,  so 
that  by  the  end 
of  Se2Dtember  no 
trace  of  the  plant 
remains  above 
ground.  In  a 
patch  of  golden- 
seal there  are  al- 
ways mairy  sterile 
stems,  simple  and 
erect,  bearing  a 
solitary  leaf  at 
the  apex,  but  no 
flower. 

Mr.  Homer  Bow- 
ers,0 of  New  Ross, 
Ind.,  who  propa- 
gated goldenseal 
from  seed  for  the 
purpose  of  study- 
ing its  germination  and  growth,  states  that  the  plant  grown  from 
naturally  sown  seed  often  escapes  observation  during  the  first  year 
of  its  existence  owing  to  the  fact  that  in  this  entire  period  nothing 
but  two  round  seed  leaves  are  produced,  and  at  this  stage  the  plant 
does  not  look  materially  different  from  other  young  seedlings.  Dur- 
ing its  second  year  from  seed  one  basal  leaf  is  sent  up,  followed  in 
the  third  year  by  another  smaller  leaf  and  the  flower. 

"A  Contribution  to  the  Life  History  of  Hydrastis  Canadensis,  Bot.  Gaz.,  vol. 

16,  pp.  73-82,  1891. 
[Circ.  <;| 


Fig.  2.— A  fruiting  plant  nnd  a  fruiting  branch  of  goldenseal. 


THE  CULTIVATION    AND    HANDLING    "I     GOLDENSEAL. 
DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    RHIZOME.    OR   ROOTSTOCK. 


The  rhizome  (  rootstock  i  and  rootlets  of  goldenseal,  or  hydrastis,  as 
ii  is  also  known  in  the  drug  trade,  arc  the  parts  employed  in  medicine. 
The  full-grown  rhizome  when  fresh  is  of  a  bright  yellow  color  both 
internally  and  externally,  about  1!  to  2i  inches  in  length  and  from 
one  fourth  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  thickness.  Fibrous  yellow 
rootlets  are  produced  from  the  sides  of  the  rhizome.  (Fig.  3.)  The 
fresh  rhizome  contain-  a  large  amount  of  yellow  juice  and  gives  off 
a  rank,  nauseating  odor.  When  dry  the 
rhizome  measures  from  1  to  2  inches  in 
length  and  from  one-eighth  to  one-third 
of  an  inch  in  diameter.  It  is  crooked. 
knotty,  wrinkled,  of  a  dull  brown  color 
outside,  and  breaks  with  a  clean,  short, 
resinous  fracture,  showing  a  lemon-yel 
low  culm-  i  f  the  root  is  not  old.  I  f  the 
dried  root  is  kept  for  a  long  time  it  will 
be  a  greenish  yellow  or  brown  internally, 
and  becomes  inferior  in  quality.  <  m 
the  upper  surface  of  the  rhizome  are 
several  depressions,  left  by  former  an- 
nua] -tem-.  which  resemble  the  imprint 
of  a  seal;  hence  the  name  goldenseal. 
The  fibrous  rootlets  become  very  wiry 
and  brittle  in  drying,  breaking  off 
readily  and  leaving  only  small  protuber- 
ances, SO  that  the  root  as  found  in  coin 
merce  is  sometimes  almost  hare.  The 
dried  rhizome  also  has  a  peculiar,  some 
what  narcotic,  disagreeable  odor,  but 
not  so  pronounced  as  in  the  fresh  ma 
terial,  an  exceedingly  hitter  taste,  and 
a  persistent  acridity  which  causes  an 
abundant  How  of  saliva  when  the  rhi- 
zome is  chewed.  The  most  important 
constituents  of  the  rhizome  are  the  three 
alkaloids— hydrastin,  berberin,  and  canadin.  it  contains  also  starch. 
albuminous  matter,  resin,  sugar,  fatty  matter,  and  inorganic  -alts. 

Hydrastis  act-  chiefly  upon  the  mucous  membranes  and  glandular 
system,  and  to  some  extent  upon  the  nervous  system.  It  is  a  valuable 
drug  in  disordered  condition-  of  the  digestive  organs  and  in  catarrhal 
affections  of  any  of  t  he  mucous  membranes  w  hen  unaccompanied  with 
acute  inflammation.  In  the  various  diseases  of  the  mucous  membranes 
it  is  administered  both  internalh  and  locally.  Hydrastis  impart-  it- 
properties  to  water,  glycerin,  or  alcohol. 
12004     I  'ire.  G     OS 


ick,  of 
goldei 


10  THE   CULTIVATION    AND    HANDLING   OF   GOLDENSEAL. 

COLLECTION   AND   PREPARATION   OF   THE   ROOT. 

The  root  should  be  collected  in  autumn  after  the  plants  have  ma- 
tured seed.  Spring-dug  root  shrinks  far  more  in  drying  and  always 
commands  a  lower  price  than  the  fall-dug  root.  After  the  roots  are 
removed  from  the  earth  they  should  be  carefully  freed  from  soil  and 
all  foreign  particles.  They  should  then  be  sorted,  and  small,  unde- 
veloped roots  and  broken  pieces  may  be  laid  aside  for  replanting. 
After  the  roots  have  been  cleaned  and  sorted  they  are  ready  to  be 
dried  or  cured.  Great  care  and  judgment  are  necessary  in  drying  the 
roots.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  they  should  be  perfectly  dry 
before  packing  and  storing,  as  the  presence  of  moisture  induces  the  de- 
velopment of  molds  and  mildews,  and  of  course  renders  them  worth- 
less. The  roots  are  dried  by  exposure  to  the  air,  being  spread  out  in 
thin  layers  on  drying  frames  or  upon  a  large,  clean,  dry  floor.  They 
should  be  turned  several  times  during  the  day.  repeating  this  day 
after  day  until  the  roots  are  thoroughly  dried.  If  dried  out  of  doors 
they  should  be  placed  under  cover  upon  indication  of  rain  and  at 
night  so  that  they  may  not  be  injured  by  dew.  After  the  roots  are 
thoroughly  dried  they  may  be  packed  as  tightly  as  possible  in  dry 
sacks  or  barrels,  and  they  are  then  ready  for  shipment. 

BRIEF  MEDICAL   HISTORY. 

As  in  the  case  of  many  other  native  medicinal  plants,  the  early 
settlers  learned  of  the  virtues  of  goldenseal  through  the  American 
Indians,  who  used  the  root  as  a  medicine  and  the  yellow  juice  as  a 
stain  for  their  faces  and  a  dye  for  their  clothing. 

The  Indians  regarded  goldenseal  as  a  specific  for  sore  and  inflamed 
eyes,  and  it  was  a  very  popular  remedy  with  the  pioneers  of  Ohio  and 
Kentucky  for  this  affection,  and  also  for  sore  mouth,  the  root  being 
chewed  for  the  relief  of  the  last-named  trouble.  In  the  herbarium 
collected  by  Captains  Lewis  and  (dark  on  their  expedition  to  the 
source  of  the  Missouri  and  across  the  country  to  the  Pacific  coast,  a 
specimen  of  goldenseal  collected  May  '21.  1804,  bears  some  notes  in 
the  handwriting  of  Captain  Lewis  concerning  the  use  of  this  plant  in 
"  Kentucky  and  many  other  parts  of  the  western  country."  He  states 
that  it  is  said  to  be  a  sovereign  remedy  for  sore  eyes,  describing  the 
nature  of  this  disorder  and  giving  also  the  method  of  preparing  and 
applying  this  remedy.  He  states,  further,  that  it  makes  an  "  excellent 
mouth  water." 

Barton,  in  his  "  Collections  for  an  Essay  towards  a  Materia  Medica 
of  the  United  States,"  1804,  speaks  of  the  use  of  a  spirituous  infusion 
of  the  root  of  goldenseal  as  a  tonic  bitters  in  the  western  part  of 
Pennsylvania  and  of  the  employment  of  an  infusion  of  the  root  in 
<-old  water  as  a  wash  for  inflammation  of  the  eyes. 

[Clrc.  6] 


'I'll  i     CULTIVATION     VND    HANDLING    OF    G 1NSEAL.  I  I 

According  to  Dr.  C.  S.  Rafinesque,  in  his  Medical  Flora  in  lv-_'s. 
the  [ndians  also  employed  the  juice  or  infusion  for  many  "external 
complaints,  a-  a  topical  ionic"  and  '■-nine  Indian-  employ  it  as  a 
diuretic,  stimulant,  and  escharotic,  using  the  powder  for  blistering 
and  the  infusion  for  the  dropsy."  He  states  further  thai  "  internally 
it  is  used  as  a  bitter  tonic,  in  infusion  or  tincture*,  in  disorders  of  the 
stomach,  the  liver,"  etc. 

It  was  not  until  a  demand  was  created  for  goldenseal  by  the  eclectic 
school  of  practitioners,  about  L847,  thai  it  became  an  article  of  com- 
merce, and  in  I860  the  rout  wa-  made  official  in  the  Pharmacopoeia  of 
the  United  States,  which  place  it  has  held  to  the  present  day. 

CULTIVATION. 

The  United  State-  Department  of  Agriculture  has  been  carrying 

on  experiment-  in  the  cultivation  of  goldenseal  on  a  small  scale  at 
Washington,  I>.  ( '..  since  the  spring  of  L899,  in  the  hope  that  methods 
mi<rht  lie  worked  oul  according  to  which  tlii-  valuable  wild  drug  plant 
could  he  grown  on  a  commercial  scale.  In  these  experiment-  the  aim 
ha-  been  to  imitate  the  natural  condition-  id'  growth  a-  closely  as 
possible.  The  results  that  have  thus  far  been  obtained  seem  to  justify 
the  conclusion  that  goldenseal  can  he  successfully  cultivated.  The 
method-  of  operation  described  apply  to  the  condition-  at  Washing- 
ton, and  the  treatment  may  need  t"  be  somewhat  modified  under  other 
COndil  ion-  of  -oil  and  climate. 

NECESS  \i:i    S<  >li    condition-. 

The  -oil  condition-  should  imitate  a-  closely  as  possible  tho-e  een 
in  thrifty  deciduous  forests.  The  soil  should  contain  an  ample  supply 
of  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 --.  well  worked  into  the  ground,  to  secure  the  lightness  and 
moisture-retaining  property  of  forest  -oils.  The  best  form  of  humus 
i-  probably  leaf  mold,  hut  good  results  may  he  obtained  by  mulching 
in  the  autumn  or  early  winter  with  leaves,  straw,  well-rotted  stable 
manure,  or  similar  material-.  After  the  -oil  ha-  been  prepared  and 
planted  it  is  well  to  add  a  mulch  in  the  fall  a-  a  partial  protection  to 
the  root-  during  the  winter,  and  the  decay  of  this  material  add-  to  the 
Value  of  the  -oil  by  the  time  the  plant-  appeal-  in  the  spring.  The 
forest  conditions  are  thus  imitated  l>\  the  annual  addition  of  vegeta 
hie  matter  to  the  -oil.  which  by  it-  gradual  decay  accumulates  an  in- 
creasing depth  of  a  -oil  rich  in  material-  adapted  to  the  feeding  of 
the  plant-  and  to  the  preservation  of  proper  physical  conditions.  The 
growth  of  weeds  is  also  hindered  to  a  considerable  extent.  If  suffi 
cient  at  tent  ion  is  given  to  the  presence  of  this  mulch,  the  nature  of  the 
underlying  -oil  is  of  [ess  importance  than  otherwise.  In  the  ca 
clay  the  thorough  incorporation  of  a  large  amount  of  decayed  vege 

[Clrc.  (>] 


12  THE    CULTIVATION    AND    EANDLING    OF    GOLDENSEAL. 

table  matter  lend-  to  give  lightness  to  the  otherwise  heavy  soil,  facili- 
tating aeration  and  drainage.  Since  the  roots  of  the  goldenseal  do 
not  grow  well  in  a  wet  soil,  thorough  drainage  is  necessary.  A 
lighter,  sandy  soil  is  improved  by  the  addition  of  humus,  since  its 
capacity  to  hold  moisture  is  thereby  increased  and  the  degree  of  fer- 
tility is  improved.  The  looser  the  soil,  the  easier  it  is  to  remove  the 
roots  in  digging  without  breaking  or  injuring  them.  Before  plant- 
ing, the  soil  should  be  thoroughly  prepared  to  a  depth  of  at  Least  6  or 
8  inches,  so  as  to  secure  good  aeration  and  drainage.  The  good  tilth 
thus  secured  will  be  in  a  degree  preserved  by  the  continued  addition 
of  a  mulch.  A  further  advantage  of  careful  preparation  is  seen  in 
a  decrease  in  the  amount  of  cultivation  required  later. 

FERTILIZERS. 

The  fertilizers  that  may  be  used  with  profit  in  the  growing  of 
goldenseal  have  not  yet  been  determined,  but  it  is  probable  that  pot- 
ash and  phosphates  would  increase  the  yield,  especially  if  the  soil  is 
light.  So  far  as  is  known,  no  preference  can  be  given  to  any  par- 
ticular compounds  of  either  potash  or  phosphoric  acid.  Two  hundred 
pounds  of  kainit  or  50  pounds  of  muriate  of  potash  and  from  200  to 
300  pounds  of  superphosphate  per  acre  would  in  all  probability  prove 
useful.  The  nitrogen  is  supplied  by  the  humus  and  need  not  be  added 
in  concentrated  form. 

ARTIFICIAL  SHADE. 

Since  the  goldenseal  grows  naturally  in  the  wood-,  it  must  be  pro- 
tected from  the  full  light  of  the  sun  by  artificial  shade.  That  used  in 
connection  with  the  experiments  of  the  Department  was  made  of  ordi- 
nary pine  plastering  lath  nailed  to  a  suitable  frame  elevated  on  posts. 
The  posts  were  of  cedar  Si  feet  long,  set  2|  feet  in  the  ground  in  rows 
11  feet  apart  and  L6  feet  distant  from  each  other  in  the  row-.  Sup- 
ports 2  by  4  inches  were  set  on  cedar  blocks  2  feet  long  sunk  below 
the  soil  surface  in  the  middle  of  the  16-foot  "spaces.  Pine  pieces  2  by 
4  inches  were  nailed  edgewise  to  the  tops  of  the  posts  and  supports. 
The  posts  were  notched  to  receive  the  2  by  1  inch  sticks.  Pieces  •_' 
by  4  inches  were  nailed  across  these  at  intervals  of  4  feet.  The  laths 
were  nailed  to  these,  leaving  spaces  about  an  inch  wide. 

This  shade  ha--  been  found  to  be  satisfactory,  as  it  is  high  enough 
above  the  ground  to  allow  such  work  as  is  necessary  in  preparing  and 
cultivating  t lie  land.  1  I'  the  lathing  is  extended  l'  or  :'.  fee!  beyond  the 
posts  on  the  sunny  sides,  injury  from  the  sun's  ray-  w  ill  be  prevented, 
or  laths  may  be  nailed  vertically  to  the  pieces  of  pine  -2  by  1  inches  at 
the  top  and  a  I- foot  -trip  below.  The  -ides  may  be  protected  Im- 
portable board  walls  about  ■_'  feet  high  set  around  the  edges.  Pro- 
tection from  injury  by  winds  when  the  top-  are  large  may  be  thus 
[Circ.  6  I 


THE   CULTIVATION    AND    HANDLING    01  NSEAL.  13 

secured.  Too  much  dampness  should  be  guarded  against  in  the  use 
of  the  board  sides,  since  conditions  might  be  developed  favorable  to 
the  damping-off  fungus  and  to  aphides  during  hot  rainy  periods. 

The  cost  of  lath  shade  over  a  tenth  of  an  acre  ai  Washington  was 
probably  considerably  greater  than  will  be  ne<  essary  in  districts  where 
Lumber  is  cheaper.  The  lumber  will  probably  cosl  from  $700  to  $800 
per  acre  and  the  labor  of  the  farm  can  be  utilized  at  times  when  other 
work  is  not  pressing. 

USE  Ol     l  RE]  S    VS  SH  U>E. 

Trees  may  be  used  for  shade,  but  this  is  in  some  ways  to  be  regarded 
as  unsatisfactory.  When  the  shade  produced  is  of  the  right  density, 
the  use  of  moisture  and  raw  food  materials  of  the  soil  by  the  trees 
is  an  undesirable  feature. 

ATTENTION    REQUIRED. 

The  cultivation  of  goldenseal  is  simple.  Having  secured  a  deep, 
loose  soil,  rich  in  humus  renewed  annually  by  the  application  of  new 
mulch,  the  removal  of  weeds  is  the  chief  care.  The  soil,  if  properly 
prepared,  will  tend  to  maintain  it-elf  in  good  condition.  The  manner 
of  treatment  is  verj  similar  to  that  required  by  ginseng,  which  i-  also 
a  plant  of  the  moist  woods.  It'  the  ground  is  thoroughly  prepared, 
beds  are  not  absolutely  necessary.  The  plants  may  he  grown  in  rows 
1  foot  apart  and  6  inches  apart  in  the  rows.  Beds  may  he  thought  by 
some  to  lie  more  convenient,  enabling  the  grower  to  remove  the  weeds 
and  collect  the  seed  more  readily.  If  beds  are  used,  they  may  he 
made  1  feet  wide,  running  the  entire  length  of  the  shade,  with  walks 
18  inches  wide  between.  Hoard-  6  or  8  inches  w  ide  are  set  up  around 
the  sides  of  the  beds,  being  held  in  place  by  -take-  on  each  -ide  of  the 
hoard-  in  the  center  and  at  the  ends.  These  beds  are  Idled  with  pre- 
pared -oil.  and  the  plant-  are  -et  8  inches  apart  each  way. 

\|  I ■  i  Hi  m-   i  >r    PROPAGATION. 

There  are  three  possible  ways  of  propagating  the  plant:  (1)  By 
seed,  (2)  by  division  of  the  rhizome-  (fig.  I).  and  (3)  l>\  mean-  of 
small  plant-  formed  from  buds  on  the  stronger  fibrous  roots  (fig.  5). 
The  second  method  will  prove  satisfactory  as  a  regular  practice,  but 
the  third  has  value  where  the  root-  are  not  divided  every  year.  Propa 
gation  by  seed  has  the  disadvantage  of  requiring  several  year-  to 
produce  a  crop,  being  of  special  value  where  the  outlay  i-  necessarily 
small  and  time  i-  not  an  object. 

I   M'l  KI  MINI-     \\  I  111     Bl 

Seeds  planted  jusl  after  ripening,  July  11.  1904,  in  sandy  soil  mixed 
with    well-rotted    -table   manure   and    lightly    mulched    with    manure 
[Cii 


14 


THE    CULTIVATION    AND    HANDLING    OF    GOLDENSEAL. 


gave  a  few  plants  in  the  spring  of  1905.  Other  lots  saved  and  planted 
the  following  spring  produced  no  plants.  A  number  of  germinated 
seeds  sent  in  by  a  goldenseal  grower  and  planted  in  March,  1007.  in 
sandy  soil  well  supplied  with  humus  and  lightly  mulched  came  up 
well  about  the  1st  of  May  and  grew  nicely.  The  experiments  made 
by  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry  thus  far  have  shown  that  about  30 
per  cent  of  the  sect  1  lings  developed  one  or  two  true  leaves,  although 
in  the  majority  only  the  seed  leaves  appeared  in  the  first  year  (fig.  6  I. 
Stratification  of  the  seed  after  ripening,  in  a  mixture  of  sand  and 
leaf  mold,  as  in  the  case  of  ginseng,  insures  the  highest  percentage 
of  germination,  provided  it  is  properly  done.  The  essentials  of 
stratification  are:   (1)    Sufficient  moisture  to  cause  softening  of  the 


Flo.  i      R]  livision. 


seed  coat  and  prevent  drying  out  of  the  seed  and  (2)  a  low  tem- 
perature to  prevent  either  rotting  or  germination.  The  usual  pro- 
cedure in  seed  stratification  is  as  follows:  A  mixture  of  fine  -and  and 
leaf  mold  i-  sifted  with  a  screen  that  will  not  allow  the  seed  to  pass 
through:  the  seeds,  separated  from  the  pulp,  are  then  mixed  with  this 
in  sufficient  quantity  to  keep  them  separated  and  are  put  in  a  wooden 
box.  If  the  box  is  very  small,  it  may  be  put  in  a  large  box  of  sand 
and  kept  in  a  cool  cellar  or  left  out  of  doors  covered  with  a  cloth 
sack  in  a  shaded  place.  The  seed-  can  be  sifted  out  when  ready  for 
planting  the  follow  ing  spring.  Where  only  a  few  seeds  are  produced, 
it  is  probably  best  to  plant  them  in  light,  loamy  soil  under  shade  and 
mulch  lightly  with  leaf  mold  or  well-rotted  manure.     It  is  advisable, 

[Cil 


Ill  i;    .    II.  I  IVATH'N      \NI>     IIANIH.INC    '  'I      II" V- 1    U,. 


15 


especially  in  the  beginning,  to  buj  germinated  seed  in  preference  to 
ungerminated  seed,  and  thus  avoid  the  losses  from  old  or  poorly 
developed  seed  and  from  mistakes  in  handling. 

EXPERIMENTS    WITH    DIVIDED    RHIZOMES. 

Iii  the  spring  of  L902,  10  plant-  were  secured  and  planted  under  a 
shade  of  a  temporary  character,  but  the  season  was  too  far  advanced 
to  permit  of  much  growth  during  that  year.  In  1903  proper  -hade 
was  supplied,  all  other  conditions 
were  better,  and  the  plant-  made 

,i    g 1    growth.      The   crop    was 

duo-  about  the  middle  of  Govern 
her.  L903 :  the  root-  wen'  weighed 
and  divided.  They  were  again 
planted  and  in  May.  L904,  there 
were  found  to  be  L50  strong 
plant-  and  a  lew  smaller  one-  as 
a  result  of  this  division,  an  in- 
crease of  275  per  cent.  This 
method  of  propagation  seems  to 
In'  the  most  important  and  the 
other  two  of  secondary  impor 
tance.  The  processes  arc  simple 
and  no  .-kill  i-  needed.  The  plant 
dies  down  in  late  summer  and 
the  stem  decaj  -.  leaving  a  scar 
in  its  place  on  the  rhizome.  Two 
or  more  buds  are  formed  on  the 
sides  of  the  rhizome  and  these 
accumulate  energy  for  growth  the 
follow  ing  spring.  I  f  the  root  is 
Cul  into  piece-,  giving  each  plant 
a  portion  of  the  rhizome,  some 
fibrous  root-,  and  one  or  more 
laid-  |  fig.  I  i .  t he  number  of  the 
plant-  can  be  doubled.  The  roots 
are  planted  and  mulched  and  the  process  is  complete.  The  rains 
pack  lli"'  -oil  around  the  root-  and  they  are  ready  to  grow  when 
spring  come-.  The  process  may  he  repeated  e\ery  year  and  the 
iitui, her  of  root-   increased   indefinitely. 

Since  P.miI  the  small  plat  mentioned  ha-  been  used  a-  a  source  for 

laboratory,  botanical,  and   photographic  material.     There  have  been 

losses  from  experiment-  in  connection  with  the  time  of  planting 

and  transplanting  and   from  using   fresh  manure  a-  a  mulch,  yet   the 

number  of  plant-  left  i-  al t  the  same  a-  in  1904.     It  ha-  been  found 

best   to  do  all  planting  of  rhizome*  while  tin  \    are  dormant.     Roots 
i 


Plnnl   ; 

cal. 


16 


THE    CULTIVATION    AND    HANDLING    OF    GOLDENSEAL. 


moved  after  the  buds  have  begun  growth  in  the  spring  either  die  or 
are  retarded  in  growth  so  much  that  a  season  is  lost  unless  the  condi- 
tions are  very  favorable  for  a  hasty  and  careful  transfer. 

EXPERIMENTS    WITH    PLANTS   FROM    FIBROUS   ROOTS. 

The  stronger  fibrous  roots  of  the  larger  plants  dug  in  the  autumn 
of  1003  were  found  to  contain  buds,  which  were  formed  from  a  few 
indies  t<>  a  foot  from  the  rhizome.  (Fig.  7.)  Some  were  about  half 
an  inch  long,  hut  the  majority  of  them  were  smaller.  The  larger  ones 
need  no  special  treatment  and  may  be  planted  with  the  main  crop. 

The  smaller  ones 
should  be  plant- 
ed in  boxes  or 
beds  of  well-pre- 
pared soil  at  a 
distance  of  about 
3  inches  apart, 
mulched  with  a 
thin  coating  of 
leaf  mold  or  sim- 
ilar m  a  t  e  r  i  a  1 , 
and  grown  in 
shade  until  large 
enough  to  trans- 
plant to  the  shel- 
ter with  the  lar- 
ger plants.  They 
will  probably  re- 
quire at  least 
three  years  to 
reach  their  full 
development.  If 
they  could  he  left 
undisturbed  in 
Fig.  6.— Seedlings  of  goldensi  j-Jle     beds     where 

they  are  formed  they  would  receive  nourishment  from  the  older  rhi- 
zomes and  perhaps  grow  faster,  but  it  is  probably  best  to  divide  the 
older  roots  every  year  where  propagation  alone  is  desired,  planting 
the  smaller  roots  and  the  plants  made  by  division  of  the  rhizomes. 
The  larger  roots  are  marketed  to  more  advantage  than  the  smaller 
ones,  so  it  is  best  to  have  the  surplus  consist  of  the  larger  roots.  The 
frequent  working  of  the  soil  allowed  by  this  treatment  will  keep  it 
in  better  condition  than  if  left  undisturbed  lor  a  longer  period. 

YIELD   OF   ROOTS. 

The  yield  obtained  by  the  Department    from  small  plats  has  been 
at  the  late  of  5,000  to  (5,000  pounds  of  green  roots  per  acre,  which  on 
[Circ.  6] 


THE    CULTIVATION     \XI>    BANDLING    OF    GOLDENSEAL. 


17 


drying  was  reduced  to  30  per  cent,  making  aboul  1,500  pounds  per 
acre.  The  yield  from  small  plats  can  not  be  calculated  a  accurately 
as  from  larger  areas,  but  these  figures  constitute  a  good  basis  for  a 
conservative  est  imate. 


TIM]     NECESSARY     TO    MATURE    THE    CROP. 

The  number  of  years  necessary  to  produce  a  maximum  crop  de- 
pends on  local  conditions  governing  the  growth.  \<>  advantage  can 
come  from  growing  goldenseal  more  than  three  year-,  because  the 
roots  begin  to  decay  al  the  oldest  scar  after  the  fourth  year,  thus 
destroying  the  central  and  largest  pari  of  the  root,  leaving  two  or 
more  small  plant-  in  place 
of  the  old.     For  propagation 

alone  one  year  will  give  g 1 

result-,  while  for  maintain- 
ing a  constant  area  two  or 
three  years,  depending  upon 
the  grow  th  made,  will  give  a 
good  crop  of  marketable  roots. 


II  YI>i:  \-I  1  \     CON  H  XT    OF    CUL- 
TIVATED   ROOTS. 


j<* 


Fici.  7.— Goldenseal,  showing  bud  on  fibn 


A  -ample  was  taken  from 
roots  dug  <  >ctober  L8,  L907, 
the  roots  having  been  grown 
six  successive  seasons  by  the 
Department,  being  divided 
and  transplanted  several 
times.  The  assay  made  by 
Mr.  A.  F.  Sievers,  October 
21,  L907,  in  accordance  with 
the  process  described  in  the  United  Stale-  Pharmacopoeia,  Eighth 
Revision,  showed  a  hydrastin  content  of  2.98  per  cent.  This  is 
considerably  above  the  requirements  of  the  Pharmacopoeia,  which 
call  for  2.50  per  cent  of  hydrastin.  According  to  Culbreth "  the 
hydra-tin  content  of  hydra-ti-  root-  varies  from  L.5  to  3.14  per 
cent. 

The  cultivated  root-  -how  a  hydra-tin  content  very  near  the  upper- 
most limit,  such  a-  one  would  expect  from  healthy  root-  due-  in  the 
fall  and  carefully  washed  and  dried:  therefore,  it  seems  a-  if  culti- 
vation doe-  not  influence  the  hydrastin  content,  except  to  the  extent 
of  causing  a  normal  high  percentage  of  roots  that  are  healthy  and 
well  nourished. 


\  Manual  of  Materia  Medica  and  Pharmacology,  ::<l  ed.,  p.  181. 
[Clrc.  6] 


18  THE    CULTIVATION    AND    HANDLING    OF    GOLDENSEAL. 

MARKET   CONDITIONS. 

Goldenseal  is  a  root  the  price  of  which  has  fluctuated  widely,  be- 
cause of  the  alternate  oversupply  and  scarcity,  the  manipulation  of 
the  market,  lack  of  demand,  or  other  influences.  High  price-  will 
cause  the  diggers  to  gather  the  root  in  abundance,  thus  overstocking 
the  market,  which  the  next  season  results  in  lower  prices,  at  which  dig- 
gers refuse  to  collect  the  root,  thus  again  causing  a  shortage  in  the 
supply.  Lack  of  demand  usually  brings  about  a  shrinkage  in  price. 
even  though  the  supply  is  light,  while  an  active  demand  will  cause 
prices  to  advance  in  spite  of  a  plentiful  supply.  The  arrival  of 
spring-dug  root  has  a  weakening  effect  on  the  market,  although  the 
fall-dug  root  is  always  preferred.  For  the  past  few  year-,  however, 
high  prices  have  b§en  steadily  maintained,  and  there  appears  to  be 
but  one  cause  for  this,  and  that  is.  as  already  pointed  out.  that  the 
forests  no  longer  yield  unlimited  quantities  of  this  valuable  root,  as 
in  former  years,  and  the  scanty  supply  that  can  he  had  is  inadequate 
to  meet  the  constantly  increasing  demand. 

HIGHEST    AM)    LOWEST    PRICES. 


The  following  table,  taken  from  files  of  the  Oil.  Paint,  and  Drug 
Reporter,  shows  the  highest  and  lowest  prices  quoted  for  goldenseal 
in  the  Xew  York-  market  each  month  during  the  past  ten  years,  and 
also  the  highest  and  lowest  points  touched  each  year  from  1898  to 
11)07.  inclusive.  The  figures  are  based  on  tin-  closing  quotations  of 
each  successive  week : 


Month. 


January 

February  . . . 

March 

April 

Ma  y.. 

June , 

Ju  v 

August , 

September . . 

October 

November 

I  >'  cember 

Whole  year 


H.    I. 


1899 


1900. 


II.    1.. 


1901. 


II.      I 


1902. 


II.  L. 


1903. 


II.    L. 


50   ..i 


.r>2   57.; 


1904. 


H.     L 


52  0.75 

,4  I 

541  !5 
51  l.i:> 
54  I    201. 

53  l.  in  1. 
53  1. 10  . 
531.501. 
701.401. 
71  I.  10  I. 
741.40  1. 
71  I.  ...  1 

■  '       .5 


L905 


1906. 


II.       I..     II.       I.. 


74  1. 55 
76  l .  65 

in  I  65 
I"  I  6  ■ 
15 1.  <5 

Mill         .11 

151.30 
351.20 

in  i.  to 
35  l.:;7 
35]  35 
.11  65 


1.551. 
1.601. 
1.661. 
L.601. 
L.  451 
I.  1111. 
L.30'1. 
I  21 1  I . 
1.201. 
1 .  20  I . 
1.351. 
1.301. 
1.201. 


1907. 
II         1. 


301.271  1.50 

25  1.25  1    15 

'Hi  20  I.  15 

20  1   18  1.  17 

181    15  I.  17 

l-  l   15  L.50 

in  1.30  1.50 

301.30  1.60 

101.30  1.75 
651.  10 
601.60 
,  ,1    .i. 


2.  in 
2. 10 
I   90 


.      L.  15   2.10 


1  1 
1.  15 
l.  15 
1.45 
l.  (6 
1,46 
1.  18 
I.  18 
1.6  • 
L.85 
1  '.in 
l  82 
l    15 


According  to  the  market  reports  contained  in  the  Oil,  Taint,  and 
Drug  Reporter,  the  year  1908  opened  with  a  quotation  of  $1.85  a 
pound,  the  price  advancing  steadily  until  at  the  present  writing. 
the  end  of  the  first  quarter,  the  minimum  is  $2,  and  the  maximum 
$2.10.  There  has  been  a  good  export  demand,  and  it  is  reported 
that  primary  stocks  are  almost  exhausted.  It  is  yet  too  early  for  the 
spring-dug  root,  which,  though  Less  desirable  than  the  fall-dug  root. 
[Circ.  6] 


THE    CULTIVATION     \M>    HANDLING    (LDENSEAL.  19 

nevertheless  generally  has  the  effect  < » I"  lowering  prices  somewhat. 
The  fall-dug  r<>i>t  is  not  due  on  the  market  until  about  six  months 
later.  Meantime  the  outlook  for  continued  high  price-  is  believed 
to  be  l':'\ orable. 

It  is  impossible  to  ascertain  the  exact  annual  consumpt  ion  of  golden- 
seal root,  but  the  estimates  furnished  by  reliable  dealer-  place  these 
figures  at  from  200,000  to  300,000  pounds  annually,  about  one-tenth 
of  which  is  probably  used  for  export. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  price  of  this  article  is  very  sensitive 
to  market  conditions,  and  it  seems  probable  that  the  point  of  over- 
production would  be  easily  reached  if  a  large  number  of  golden- 
seal growers  were  to  meet  with  success  in  growing  extensive  areas 
of  this  drug. 

Approved : 

.1  \ mis  Wilson . 

s  i  ;v  Ui rij  of  .  Agriculture. 

Washington,  D.  ('..  April  11.  I 
[Circ.  <;] 

o 


UNIVERSITY  OF  FLORIDA 


3  1262  08929  0182 


